General Motors Considering Selling Rebranded Peugeot Vans In U.S.

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

July 11, 2013

A new report from Reuters cites France's La Tribune story that General Motors is in talks with PSA Peugeot-Citroën about possibly selling vans in the United States. The report doesn't say which vans are in consideration, only saying that van would be sold under ofne of GM's brand, most likely Chevrolet.

This news doesn't come as a surprise. GM currently has some of the oldest full-size vans on the marketplace and with fresh models coming in from Europe, GM could use all the help they can get. Also, GM recently struck a deal with Nissan to sell the NV200 as the Chevrolet City Express.

My opinion is I do not think they are ugly. I think they would do well. How do you put the face of Chevrolet and GMC on these vans?

Here is an interesting side fact. These vans are co developed with Fiat. So, basically Ram and Chevrolet and GMC will be selling the same vans. That is globalization for you. This is one of the many draw backs to globalization. Everything is becoming the same globally and we have fewer choices. Everyone's economy impacts the other's economy. I just hate how American things are being lost in favor of the European or Asian way or look of things. Granted, I do appreciate we can connect globally better with each other in many ways, but I just do not want to see our own personal identities and customs and traditions and identifying characteristics die in globalization. It is all about the dollar.

This is my question if they are going through all this trouble to sell the Peugeot-Citroen van, then why are they not using the Renault version at Europe at Opel/Vauxhall?Wouldn't it be easy to do a global designed and engineered GM van?

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I'm with Ninety-Eight in asking why GM shouldn't take the lead on something like this. Let Opel work on it (gives them something useful to do) and be the design supplied to Peugeot Citroen Isuzu Holden Vauxhaull Chevy and GMC.

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I'm with Ninety-Eight in asking why GM shouldn't take the lead on something like this. Let Opel work on it (gives them something useful to do) and be the design supplied to Peugeot Citroen Isuzu Holden Vauxhaull Chevy and GMC.

I guess GM doesn't see the ROI in designing and building such product in-house.

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I'm with Ninety-Eight in asking why GM shouldn't take the lead on something like this. Let Opel work on it (gives them something useful to do) and be the design supplied to Peugeot Citroen Isuzu Holden Vauxhaull Chevy and GMC.

I guess GM doesn't see the ROI in designing and building such product in-house.

Isn't this utter BS repeated in practically every GM business case for sensible investments?

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I'm with Ninety-Eight in asking why GM shouldn't take the lead on something like this. Let Opel work on it (gives them something useful to do) and be the design supplied to Peugeot Citroen Isuzu Holden Vauxhaull Chevy and GMC.

I guess GM doesn't see the ROI in designing and building such product in-house.

If they can't find the ROI in designing and building a global small delivery van, likely based off of Delta III, then they just need to pack it up and stop building cars.

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I'm with Ninety-Eight in asking why GM shouldn't take the lead on something like this. Let Opel work on it (gives them something useful to do) and be the design supplied to Peugeot Citroen Isuzu Holden Vauxhaull Chevy and GMC.

I guess GM doesn't see the ROI in designing and building such product in-house.

If they can't find the ROI in designing and building a global small delivery van, likely based off of Delta III, then they just need to pack it up and stop building cars.

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I'm with Ninety-Eight in asking why GM shouldn't take the lead on something like this. Let Opel work on it (gives them something useful to do) and be the design supplied to Peugeot Citroen Isuzu Holden Vauxhaull Chevy and GMC.

YES! TAKE THE LEAD AND BE THE BEST

otherwise it gets reduced to how well you market the same stuff that everyone else is selling. it becomes more about marketing and not about superior product.

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I'm with Ninety-Eight in asking why GM shouldn't take the lead on something like this. Let Opel work on it (gives them something useful to do) and be the design supplied to Peugeot Citroen Isuzu Holden Vauxhaull Chevy and GMC.

I guess GM doesn't see the ROI in designing and building such product in-house.

If they can't find the ROI in designing and building a global small delivery van, likely based off of Delta III, then they just need to pack it up and stop building cars.

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I'm with Ninety-Eight in asking why GM shouldn't take the lead on something like this. Let Opel work on it (gives them something useful to do) and be the design supplied to Peugeot Citroen Isuzu Holden Vauxhaull Chevy and GMC.

I guess GM doesn't see the ROI in designing and building such product in-house.

If they can't find the ROI in designing and building a global small delivery van, likely based off of Delta III, then they just need to pack it up and stop building cars.

FORD CAN WHY CANT GM

Bankruptcy (that's been the default answer for GM behavior the last 5 years, probably will continue to be for the next 5-10)

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I'm with Ninety-Eight in asking why GM shouldn't take the lead on something like this. Let Opel work on it (gives them something useful to do) and be the design supplied to Peugeot Citroen Isuzu Holden Vauxhaull Chevy and GMC.

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I agree with Drew and many others here that this is a perfect chance for GM to use the Opel Division to build a global compact to large van line that would compete rather than re-badge an ugly, very ugly Peugeot or Fiat which I just do not see what is so great about those vans after looking at all the links.

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Opel has their hands full already trying to reinvent their entire line into a more expensive brand in a down economy. Opel will not do it with the present cars but with each and every new Opick they make. Buick and Opel will need 5-10 years to bring all new models to carry them closer to their goal. Opel has little time to deal with work vans that are generally sold on price and utility vs. any other quality.

Ford rebranded their little carrier from overseas and imported them from Turkey. I saw them I though that will never fly just as many here also thought and today Ford is making truck loads of money on the deal. They have been very popular and selling better than they ever believed.

This is also nothing new for GM as for how long have they also imported rebadged chassis tucks as GMC and Chevy from Asia. Now it is time for them to do the same here. Even Ram has one well with the White/Daimler vans.

The key here is get good utility, good MPG, Low operating cost and low purchase price and companies will flock to these. Styling and other issues associated with cars here are non factors. If a company can buy your product to do the job and save money they will be there with their checks in their hands.

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I remember when rolls royce & bmw said the same thing RE a really good automatic trans. They're still using the same source for their auto...... Oh yeah.

If margins are slim & the segment is slight, its one thing. If the picture is otherwise (ask Ford), investment can have its returns (yep, I realize the Connect already was). 10 years ago, there were hardly any small commercial vans available. Leaders lead, the rest follow ( or rebadge).

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These commercial vans seem all the rage, maybe in 10 years time we won't even have small cars, but instead the Transit Connect and the Puegeot Partner will take the place of Civics and Rav4's. Some of these car companies seem more interested in getting a commercial van than they do in building a good mid-size car.

You'd think that the Cruze diesel would be a good basis for a van, because if you took that chassis and strengthened it and beefed up the suspension, all you have to do is convert the unibody to a box and you have a van, with the desired torque and fuel economy that the business customer needs.

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With all the other product GM needs to have great investment in and divisions to fix and new technology they need to invest in for higher MPG I see the rebadge is more then enough here. They will make a good profit here and can do something here once they get the rest of their house in order.

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The '14 TransitConnect is a sharp little van, imo. I know they're keeping diesels out of their U.S. versions because of costs, but I think it would be really cool to have one with a diesel that could be driven daily and then used to camp in on the weekends. I've seen several clever camper conversions on the current version.

See, even non-commercial users find them useful. GM needs to wake up and smell the coffee.

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The most pressing need is a replacement for the large Chevy Van. Ford will have their new Larger Transit out this year to take the place of the old discontinued Econoline. Chevy has had it easy in this segment but with the new van comes lower operating cost and GM will have to have something for it.

In the mean time they do not have the time and money to mess with the smaller segment unless they have something coming that can fill this need that we have not seen.GM has so much to do and only so much money and man power that the rebadge is not a cop out but a link to when they address the issue properly.

The one vehivcle that was doing well for small companies was of all things the HHR panels. There are still many full and half panels still in use. They were cheap to run, hauled light loads with no issue and were cheap to buy. GM needs something small like this and they needed 4 years ago so we can either rebadge or we can wait 4-5 more years.

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Thank you for your clear and concise explantations. I had a conversation with some guy on another GM forum last night and I think he may have worked for GM because he was saying the same things you are saying about Opel and Buick and what GM is trying to do. They were detailed explanations just like yours. He said the same things about why GM is making the most of what they have and reinventing Opel and Buick in the processes. This why why GM is reabadging the Peugeot-Citroen vans to be in the Euro Van game. They cannot afford to lose out. GM and Ford did not count on the success of Ford Transit Connect. GM knows like you said they have to act instead of react. I was told going forward the Opels and Buicks will be designed and engineered for America, China, and Europe. Buick and Opel have to do a image change and just like Cadillac go through a renewal process that GM will have to invest and build on for years. It is about being competitive. Opels and Buicks will be aimed at high end Volkswagens and low end Audis. I was also told that Americans are more receptive to imports or Euro designs as opposed to Europeans who are not as receptive to American designs.

The reason why Buick ended up with Opels was because Buick did not have anything in the pipeline and they used that money on the suvs as the suvs are making money and bring profit to GM. They also are converging things globally.

Chevrolet- Holden

Buick- Opel/Vauxhall

GMC

Cadillac- If you notice most of their products are unique to them with the exception of the Escalade. This is something Ford has not done with Lincoln yet.

The current situation with Buick is a temorary fix until the real product can come. I was told the Monza concept car that was partitally unveiled is an example of the new Buick-Opel image and look.

As far as these vans, this is just to keep GM in the game until they have time later to invest in a global commercial van. GM will modify them I am sure to look like GMC and Chevrolet.

Looks like Volkswagen is testing their Euro Van in Arizona. No one knows why.

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VW is testing here as I am sure they will sell their van not only here but also in other places like the middle east. Testing is safer in Winslow vs. Syria right now!

The realignment of GM is just now showing itself and more people will start to see the picture. Those of us who watch GM have seen this and understand what has been taking place but the product the most obvious sign of the realignment just has not taken place.

Too many people look at GM and what they are doing and only think products but tend to leave out the business end of things. There is much more than just numbers and building cars on emotion or feeling. Anymore you have to get the most out of each platform and return on investment. While we on the web pine away about building diesel powered AWD wagons here there are people at GM would like to build these but they have to maximize the return on investment and that is difficult when all those who say they will buy it do not show up at the dealers when they do. Now that GM has a Diesel Cruze it will be interesting to see just how many buy, As for those who say they will not buy because it has leather seats etc. really were never in the market anyways as if you really wanted a Diesel would a seat fabric really stop you?

GM needs to be in this segment now and not 5 years from now. Even with the way things are going it may take time to get new product here so they need to take advantage of what resources they have. God knows there are still a lot of Isuzu's with bow ties still working for a lot of companies and each one made GM money and companies loved them as they saved money not only buying them but also in MPG with the turbo Diesels.